Ulefoss and Eidsfoss locks
M/S Victoria at Eidsfoss locks
Nome Municipality is the result of a merger of the former municipalities of Holla and Lunde. The name Nome may have its origin in nauma (meaning narrow) from the root of the name for the River Nauma. Nomevatn, a reservoir lake, is located on the border between the two former municipalities. All the lock facilities in the Bandak Canal are located in Nome. The township hall is located in Ulefoss, although some administrative offices are located in Lunde. Manufacturing and construction are the most important industries here, employing about 1200 persons, approximately 50% of the total eligible workforce.
The locks at Ulefoss
With its three locks Ulefoss is the first of the lock facilities on the Bandak Canal, and raises boats past the 10.7 metre-high waterfall. Along the locks are buildings related to the canal. At the intersection south of the canal there is housing for the lockkeeper, foreman and lock-gate man; on the north side of the canal there is an old smithy. One of the former centres of Ulefoss once at this intersection, "Coal Square", as originally a storage place for charcoal for the iron works. There was an old store here, "Ulefoss Forbrugsforening", which was said to have had Norway’s longest counter, 20 to 30 metres long. Coal Square is also the location of the old corner post office building known as "New York" which features elements of German art nouveau. Ulefoss Bridge, dating from 1933, is a steel girder bridge with a sailing clearance of 12.9 metres. Ulefoss power station from 1963 was built following the enlargement of Tokke with a mountain reservoir to give a more constant supply of water. The present dam is from 1960-61. Half the earlier workers' barracks at Aall’s sawmill are still standing on the north side of the river above the locks.
The canal exhibit and the iron industry exhibit in the old building of Holla Savings Bank on the south side of the locks, shows the history of the Telemark canals with pictures and models. The iron industry exhibit displays objects from the iron industry at Ulefoss.
The locks at Eidsfoss
There were two locks here with a lift elevation of ten metres. It is still possible to disembark at Eidsfoss and follow the road on foot to Vrangfoss one kilometre further up and then go back on board. The walk takes about 20 minutes. The old lockkeeper´s residence is located on the hillside north of the locks.